‘Get the Finals to TNT already!’: NBA fans share their frustration but Chuck and Shaq
‘Get the Finals to TNT already!’: NBA fans share their frustration at Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley’s absence for Nuggets-Heat Finals as coverage switches to ABC… but here’s how you CAN still watch them
- Barkley, Smith and O’Neal will be part of a rotating crew analyzing for NBATV
- NBATV doesn’t broadcast the Finals, but it will provide pre & postgame coverage
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The Miami Heat‘s blowout Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 win brought to an end to the 2023 Celtics and of course, the most beloved sports program in America.
Inside the NBA, featuring the lovable quartet of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson, will not return to the air for the NBA Finals.
The Nuggets-Heat matchup will air exclusively on ESPN on ABC — as it has since 2000 – but that doesn’t mean Chuck, Shaq and Kenny will be going anywhere just yet.
Previously, the threesome have appeared on NBATV’s Finals coverage — and will do so again for the 2023 Finals.
Though, there’s a small chance Barkley may have forgotten his upcoming duties while on-air for TNT Monday night.
Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley will all be on NBATV for its Finals coverage
Despite thinking he was heading for summer vacation, the Chuckster has work to do on NBATV
‘Thank goodness,’ Sir Charles said in response to Johnson’s mentioning it being their last night on air.
‘I like summer vacation,’ Barkley continued. ‘I love basketball, but I love summer vacation more. I ain’t gonna get on here and lie!’
Barkley and Co. will not be in breach of their contracts with Turner as NBATV is operated by TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
It will come as a relief to many NBA fans who had figured the trio would be on vacation, as Johnson now is.
‘I think this every year but the NBA on TNT team not getting the Finals is a crime. I could watch Shaq, Ernie, Kenny, and Chuck talk about anything,’ one user wrote.
Ernie Johnson will be the only member of Inside The NBA not on NBATV during the ’23 Finals
‘Last night of Chuck, Shaq, Ernie, and Kenny. Best show on television. Get the Finals to TNT already,’ another tweeted.
While NBATV does not broadcast the Finals, Smith, Barkley and O’Neal will be part of a rotating crew providing pre and postgame analysis.
‘TNT deserves the nba finals just for the Charles Barkley pre game. These dudes know how to do it,’ another Inside The NBA fan wrote.
Looks like Christmas has come early for some Association fans.